Architectural harmony defines this family’s home near Lake Tahoe. “The central vision was threefold: interiors that would bring the family joy, support their daily activities, and provide specific areas of refuge for each member and as a family,” says interior designer Cheryl Chenault, who integrated a Hansgrohe Axor rain shower in the master bath, which has frosted glass.

Most beachfront houses treat the ocean as part of the visual landscape with panoramic views and wraparound balconies. Tom Lloyd-Butler’s beach house by Ernest Born, however, is deeply interior, and far more interested in its tranquil inner courtyard than anything beyond. One transparent addition later, the avid surfer has a new outlook. Sliding glass panels in the bathroom open to put the tub in the tree canopy.

Custom woodwork and natural light invigorate this formerly cramped space in Romania. Discreetly wrapped around the center of the unit, the open bath and shower create a continuous flow within the apartment. The manner in which the bath extends out into the living space, uncommon for Romanian homes, "profits from the generosity of the space," says Heierle.

The open bath, which allows someone to soak in the sunlight without feeling totally exposed, pleased the owner, a civil engineer who deals with water works for a living and wanted something unique for his own home.

Today, we kicked off this year’s annual Dwell on Design at the LA Convention Center, which will continue through Sunday, June 26th. Though we’ve been hosting this extensive event for years, this time around is particularly special.